CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (English: C onvention on international Trade in E ndangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ( abbreviation : CITES, also known as the Washington Convention) is a multilateral treaty designed to protect endangered plants and animals. The Convention was drafted based on a resolution adopted at a 1963 meeting of members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The Convention was opened for signature in 1973 and entered into force on July 1, 1975.

Its goal is to ensure that international trade in wildlife specimens does not threaten the survival of species in the wild and to provide varying degrees of protection to more than 35,000 species of animals and plants. To ensure no violation of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT).

The crocodile leather trade is legally complex, as it is important to reliably source the leather from farms where crocodiles are treated humanely. Unregulated commercial hunting has led to the decline of many crocodile populations, leading governments to implement conservation measures for many reptiles. CITES is an international agreement among 164 countries to protect endangered species from extinction. The agreement was established in 1973 and stands for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. Legally imported crocodile leather must come from reputable farms with CITES certification to prove legal ownership. Any uncertified leather will be seized by customs and selling inherited (before CITES was implemented) or illegally imported leather will be considered a criminal offence.

All crocodile leather, ostrich leather, python leather, etc. imported by FOBO are imported in compliance with the trade convention.